KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is open to meeting opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over allegations of political persecution against certain lawmakers.
MACC commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki told The Star that the anti-graft body is open to setting a meeting date, but has yet to receive any letter from PKR.
“We can set a date to meet, (it’s) not an issue. But as of now, I have not received any letter from PKR,” he was quoted as saying.
Yesterday in a press conference, Anwar revealed that five PKR lawmakers have been threatened or enticed with rewards to defect from the party and join the Perikatan Nasional government.
The MPs were Natrah Ismail (Sekijang), S. Kesavan (Sg Siput), Awang Husaini Sahari (Putatan), M. Karuppaiya (Padang Serai) and Michael Teo (Miri).
Anwar had said he would send a letter today to request a meeting with Azam to discuss the matter, as well as recent allegations of political persecution against opposition MPs.
He added that he had received multiple complaints from some of his party’s lawmakers regarding the pressure being laid against them to twist their arm into jumping ship.
He said the PN government’s actions in allegedly threatening or buying off MPs had nothing to do with politics, but was a form of deception and an abuse of power.
On March 5, opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan slammed the use of enforcement agencies as “political weapons” to intimidate and pressure MPs into declaring support for the prime minister.
“The PH presidential council has been informed of actions by agencies, including the MACC, Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and police, towards opposition lawmakers, their officers and families.
“We support actions that are based on the rule of law. But the abuse of institutions or law enforcement agencies to annoy, pressure, or intimidate political enemies is unacceptable.”
On March 7, Natrah had lodged a report with the MACC over an alleged attempt by certain parties to procure her support for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“I have lodged a report with MACC regarding an attempt to procure my support for Muhyiddin, with the promise of the benefits I stand to gain in return for that support,” the PKR lawmaker had said in a statement.
“The incident happened on March 3, and involved two individuals, including a Datuk Seri.”
Natrah said the report was lodged under Section 25 of the MACC Act 2009 in connection with the duty to report any attempt of bribery, adding that she hoped the MACC would investigate the matter immediately.
Allegations that two individuals met with Natrah and tried to bribe her into switch allegiances from PKR with an offer of RM10 million and a position had gone viral on social media.
Last weekend, PKR lost its vice-president and Kuala Langat MP Datuk Xavier Jayakumar, who resigned from the party and declared support for the PN government as an independent MP.
Last month, PKR’s Julau MP Larry Sng and Tebrau MP Steven Choong defected, becoming government-friendly independents. – The Vibes, March 17, 2021
